June 19, 2007

Earlybird Roundup: Palestinian Aid, Signing Statements, Iraq Offensive

Mideast. The United States yesterday restored direct aid to the Palestinians in support of President Mahmoud Abbas' new West Bank-based government, releasing tens of millions of dollars it had withheld since Hamas made gains in the 2006 elections. Israel is cutting financial aid to Hamas, and President Bush will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Washington today.

Washington. Bush is under new scrutiny over signing statements, after a new report found that federal officials disobeyed several laws Bush has challenged during his White House tenure.

Congress. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., threatened to cancel lawmakers' July 4 recess if work on energy and immigration isn't finished. Meanwhile, two new congressional surveys show that House members aren't making good on their promise to make earmark requests public and most senators didn't read the NIE report before voting to go to war with Iraq.

Iraq. Ten-thousand U.S. troops launched a major new offensive in Baqouba today, "Operation Arrowhead Ripper."

Courts. The Supreme Court ruled yesterday on cases involving traffic stops and Wall Street (subscription), while an Italian judge delayed the trials of 26 CIA operatives in abstentia.

World. The International Monetary Fund plans to insist that its 185 member countries reject currency policies that have negative effects on other countries.

See Earlybird (subscription) for more of this morning's headlines.

Posted at 8:08 AM
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